SEI Registration is OPEN!
Registration for SEI 2020 is now open! We are very excited about this year's curriculum, and hope to see many of you at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL from June 23-26, 2020.SEI is a fantastic learning and networking opportunity for students and professionals interested in creating and maintaining sustainable digital collections. The workshop offers participants the chance to meet colleagues from various institutions who are facing similar challenges. Faculty and students share ideas and solutions to these challenges and make lasting professional connections. Participants will receive a Certificate of Completion from ARLIS/NA-VRAF, signed by the ARLIS/NA president and the VRA Foundation chair.SEI is committed to creating and supporting inclusive, diverse, and equitable communities of practice. We invite you to read our Code of Conduct.This intensive workshop has a limited number of seats and fills up fast, so be sure to register soon!If you have questions, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Now Available: VRA Bulletin Spring/Summer 2019 (Volume 46 Issue 1)
Dear Colleagues,
I am excited to inform you that the latest issue of the Visual Resources Association Bulletin has just been published and can be viewed here: https://online.vraweb.org/vrab/
This issue is the first fully open access Bulletin and is readily available to anyone with an internet connection - readers no longer need to sign in or be a VRA member in order to read the newest research on topics in the field of visual resources. This first OA issue focuses primarily on two topics - intellectual property rights and metadata - and features a variety of perspectives on both subjects.
Many thanks to each of the issue’s contributors and a reminder that the Bulletin is currently accepting submissions for its Fall/Winter 2019 issue. If you’re interested in publishing, don’t hesitate to reach out to Content Editor Hannah Marshall to discuss your article idea (marshall.hannah.marie@gmail.com). The submission process can be started on the VRAB website at: http://online.vraweb.org/vrab/.
Enjoy the issue!
Contents of the issue:
Association News
Knab, Andreas (2019) “Visual Resources Association 2019 Annual Business Meeting: Treasurer’s Report,” VRA Bulletin: Vol. 46: Iss. 1, Article 1.
Available at: https://online.vraweb.org/vrab/vol46/iss1/1/
Feature Articles
Ciuffa, Lavinia (2019) “The Ernst Nash - Fototeca Unione Collection and the Project ‘The Urban Legacy of Ancient Rome’,” VRA Bulletin: Vol. 46: Iss. 1, Article 2.
Available at: https://online.vraweb.org/vrab/vol46/iss1/2/
Gavell, Lisa (2019) “Tagging the Artstor Digital Library: A New Look at Tried and True (and Some AI) Strategies,” VRA Bulletin: Vol. 46: Iss. 1, Article 3.
Available at: https://online.vraweb.org/vrab/vol46/iss1/3/
Schumacher, Sara (2019) “Unlocking the Public Domain,” VRA Bulletin: Vol. 46: Iss. 1, Article 4.
Available at: https://online.vraweb.org/vrab/vol46/iss1/4/
Lazet, Amy (2019) “Intellectual Property Rights: Film, Pedagogy, and United States Code Title 17,” VRA Bulletin: Vol. 46: Iss. 1, Article 5.
Available at: https://online.vraweb.org/vrab/vol46/iss1/5/
Burns, Maureen (2019) "The Rights Stuff: Ethical Desition-Making and Image use in a Commercial Context," Bulletin: Vol. 46: Iss. 1, Article 6. Available at: https://online.vraweb.org/vrab/vol46/iss1/6/
Review
Westbrook, Georgia (2019) “Review of "Rights and Reproductions: The Handbook for Cultural Institutions" (2nd ed.),” VRA Bulletin: Vol. 46: Iss. 1, Article 7.
Available at: https://online.vraweb.org/vrab/vol46/iss1/7/
Sincerely, Amy Lazet
Production Editor, VRAB
Visual Resources Association Foundation (VRAF) announces 2019 Project Grant recipient
The Board of Directors of the Visual Resources Association Foundation (VRAF) is pleased to present the 2019 VRAF Project Grant in the amount of $3000 to Arden Kirkland, creator of the CostumeCore Toolkit, and Adjunct Professor at the School of Information Studies at Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY.
The CostumeCore Toolkit project will provide a toolkit to users, in order to streamline the process of setting up standards-based, interoperable metadata for collections related to the study of historic clothing. The VRAF Project Grant will allow Ms. Kirkland to update current templates in CSV/Excel formats, create plug-ins for Omeka S, templates and vocabulary for JSTOR Forum, and provide RDF extensions of VRA Core, incorporate AAT/EFT Uniform Resource Identifiers in CostumeCore, and create plugins and modules to support micro-thesauri for linked data. The CostumeCore Toolkit is currently utilized at Smith College and Vassar College, and will continue to be built-out with CostumeCore Toolkit user testing with those Colleges, Visual Resources Association members, and Costume Society of America members input and feedback. The project will allow the CostumeCore Toolkit to be available to the public under a Creative Commons BY- SA license.
In accordance with its mission to support broad access to visual information, the VRAF is pleased to support a project that extends metadata schemas and standards, and dissemination of templates about visual culture into expanded fields of inquiry.
The VRAF Project Grant Program reflects the broad mission of the VRAF to advance knowledge in the field of visual resources and image management and to provide educational and training opportunities in support of broad access to visual information in the digital age. For more information about the VRAF, the VRAF Project Grant, and other VRAF programs, please visit vrafoundation.com.
On behalf of the VRAF Board of Directors
2020 Nancy DeLaurier Award
The VRA Awards Committee is seeking nominations for the 2020 Nancy DeLaurier Award.
Although nominations must be initiated by a member of the Visual Resources Association, recipients do not have to be VRA members. We encourage the VRA membership to look at any presentations, projects, publications, research, tools, technologies, and other outstanding efforts that have made an impact on your work in visual resources and to submit a nomination.
Past project-based recipients include:
- 2016 - Developers of VRA Core (Esme Cowles, Ben Kessler, Trish Rose-Sandler, Jan Eklund)
- 2015 – Editors of Cataloging Cultural Objects (Murtha Baca, Patricia Harpring, Elisa Lanzi, Linda McRae, Ann Whiteside)
Please note that current members of the VRA Awards Committee or the Executive Board should not write in support of a nomination, nor should they be included in nominations. Please reach out to a current Awards Committee member if you have a recommendation in mind, and we will guide you through the nomination process.
Who would you like to see recognized for their contributions? Feel free to contact any member of the Awards Committee if you have any questions about the nomination process, or if you’d like to suggest a nomination for the 2020 VRA Distinguished Service Award. Here’s the link for more details and contact information: httpS://vraweb.org/about/committees/awards-committee/
We hope to learn of some fantastic efforts happening across the Visual Resources Association and beyond that have made a tremendous influence on your work.
Regards,
Steven Kowalik
VRA Awards Committee chair
Deadline Extended to May 10th for 2019 VRA Foundation Project Grant Call for Applications
2019 VRA Foundation Project Grant: Call for Applications
Deadline Extended to: May 10, 2019
The Visual Resources Association Foundation (VRAF) 2019 Project Grant application period is now open. This grant program supports projects which reflect the VRA Foundation’s mission to advance education, research, and outreach in the field of visual resources and image management.
A single grant is available during the spring 2019 cycle with up to $3000 to be awarded. This funding may be used for a stand-alone project, a pilot or start-up financing for a larger project, or for a significant component of a larger project. In general, collaborative projects and those proposed by groups, whether or not affiliated with an organization or institution, are encouraged. In addition, innovative projects thatresult in a broader impact and be shared throughout the global community are of particular interest. Categories to be considered for funding include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following:
- Metadata for Visual Media
- Visual Media Cataloguing Standards
- Visual Media Data Standards
- Digitization Projects of special or unique collections (Educational Institutions, Libraries, Museums)
- Visual Literacy
- Technology Development for Visual Media Management and Pedagogy
- Intellectual Property Rights
The project must be completed within one year from the time the grant is formally accepted. The grant will be disbursed in two increments: $1500 at the start of the granting period, and $1500 pending the submission of a mid-project progress report. A final report, including a financial statement, on how the funds contributed to the project is due within one month of the project's completion. Failure to complete the proposed project may result in the grantee returning the funds.
More information about the Project Grants, including the application form and previous recipients, can be found on the Visual Resources Association Foundation website at: https://vrafoundation.com/project-grant/
For full consideration, please submit your application (https://forms.gle/wgJHo2CtvaR7FWmE9) byFriday, May 10, 2019, 11:59pm Pacific Time. The recipient of the VRAF Project Grant will be announced by May 24, 2019.
The VRA Foundation has United States Internal Revenue Service status as a 501(c) 3 non-profit entity. All elements of a proposed project must be performed within the legal parameters of United States local, regional, and federal government requirements. International applications are welcome from institutions or individuals provided applicant institutions have the equivalent of US non-profit status, and applicant individuals have a similar non-profit, educational purpose.
If you have further questions about the Project Grant Program or the application process, please contact the VRAF Board of Directors at vrafoundation@gmail.com.
On behalf of the VRAF Board of Directors
2019 VRA Foundation Project Grant: Call for Applications
Deadline: April 26, 2019
The Visual Resources Association Foundation (VRAF) 2019 Project Grant application period is now open. This grant program supports projects which reflect the VRA Foundation’s mission to advance education, research, and outreach in the field of visual resources and image management.
A single grant is available during the spring 2019 cycle with up to $3000 to be awarded. This funding may be used for a stand-alone project, a pilot or start-up financing for a larger project, or for a significant component of a larger project. In general, collaborative projects and those proposed by groups, whether or not affiliated with an organization or institution, are encouraged. In addition, innovative projects that result in a broader impact and be shared throughout the global community are of particular interest. Categories to be considered for funding include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following:
- Metadata for Visual Media
- Visual Media Cataloguing Standards
- Visual Media Data Standards
- Digitization Projects of special or unique collections (Educational Institutions, Libraries, Museums)
- Visual Literacy
- Technology Development for Visual Media Management and Pedagogy
- Intellectual Property Rights
The project must be completed within one year from the time the grant is formally accepted. The grant will be disbursed in two increments: $1500 at the start of the granting period, and $1500 pending the submission of a mid-project progress report. A final report, including a financial statement, on how the funds contributed to the project is due within one month of the project's completion. Failure to complete the proposed project may result in the grantee returning the funds.
More information about the Project Grants, including the application form and previous recipients, can be found on the Visual Resources Association Foundation website at: https://vrafoundation.com/project-grant/
For full consideration, please submit your application (https://forms.gle/wgJHo2CtvaR7FWmE9) by Friday, April 26, 2019, 11:59pm Pacific Time. The recipient of the VRAF Project Grant will be announced by May 10, 2019.
The VRA Foundation has United States Internal Revenue Service status as a 501(c) 3 non-profit entity. All elements of a proposed project must be performed within the legal parameters of United States local, regional, and federal government requirements. International applications are welcome from institutions or individuals provided applicant institutions have the equivalent of US non-profit status, and applicant individuals have a similar non-profit, educational purpose.
If you have further questions about the Project Grant Program or the application process, please contact the VRAF Board of Directors at vrafoundation@gmail.com.
On behalf of the VRAF Board of Directors.
Visual Resources Association Foundation (VRAF) announces 2019 Professional Development Grant Recipient
The Board of Directors of the Visual Resources Association Foundation (VRAF) is pleased to present the winter 2019 VRAF Professional Development Grant in the amount of $1000 to Dr. Claudy Op den Kamp, Senior Lecturer in Film at the Faculty Member Centre for Intellectual Property Policy & Management, Bournemouth University.
Claudy Op den Kamp, plans on utilizing the funds to attend the 2019 Visual Resources Association (VRA) National Conference, which will be in Los Angeles, California from March 26-29th. Op den Kamp will be a co-presenter at a session titled, Special Topics in Intellectual Property Rights: Motion Pictures, Archival Footage, and Film in Pedagogy. She will be discussing Intellectual Property Rights interdisciplinary issues in the talk and from her new book, A History of Intellectual Property in 50 Objects (Cambridge University Press, May 2019) in which she co-edited, designed, researched images and gained image clearances for the publication. The information in this professional development journey is leading her to create a new publication “Object 51: Copyright, Digital Cultural Heritage and Academic Publishing,” which regards the process and production of A History of Intellectual Property in 50 Objects. Information for the second publication will be gathered at the VRA LA 2019 Conference with the intent to contribute to the wider cultural heritage community.
The VRAF Professional Development Grant Program reflects the broad mission of the VRAF to support professional development in the field of visual resources and cultural heritage information management. The grant can be used to participate in a professional development opportunity of the grantee’s choosing (such as a conference, symposium, workshop, online education), or to enroll in relevant research activities (such as hands-on field work or a site visit for scholarly purposes). For more information about the VRAF, the VRAF Professional Development Grant, and other VRAF programs, please visit vrafoundation.com.
On behalf of the VRAF Board of Directors.
vrafoundation@gmail.com
vrafoundation.com
https://twitter.com/vrafoundation
https://www.facebook.com/visrafoundation/
Registration open for VRAF Regional Workshops in Chicago and DC
The final two VRAF Regional Workshops in the 2018/2019 workshop season are now open for registration!
Exhibit, Instruct, Promote, Collaborate: An Introduction to Omeka for Digital Scholarship is being hosted by the University of Chicago and will take place on Friday, March 1st at Regestein Library on the beautiful U of C campus. This workshop is being taught by Susan Jane Williams and will cover many aspects of Omeka including the new Omeka S and will have a hands-on segment to work through sample exhibits. See more detailed information and register for this workshop here.
Metadata and Management of Cultural Heritage Digital Media: From Fundamentals to Future Trends is being hosted by The Smithsonian’s Freer|Sackler and will take place on Friday, April 26th at the S. Dillon Ripley Center on the Mall in Washington, DC. This workshop is being taught by Shyam Oberoi, Chief Digital Officer of the Royal Ontario Museum and will provide you with the background and tools to effectively organize, catalogue, and distribute your institution’s digital assets by introducing you to the core concepts of managing digital content. See more detailed information and register for this workshop here.
Visual Resources Association Foundation Regional Workshops are day-long learning experiences for professionals dealing with all aspects of developing, preserving, and advocating for the scholarly life cycle of cultural heritage resources. The registration fee for each workshop is $125.
For questions about the Regional Workshop program or registering for the above workshops, please contact VRAF director, Beth Haas, bwodnick@princeton.edu.
The VRAF Regional Workshops are generously supported by the Samuel H. Kress Foundation.
Summer Educational Institute Registration is OPEN!
Registration for SEI 2019 is now open! We are very excited about this year's curriculum, and hope to see many of you at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, June 4-7, 2019.
SEI is a fantastic learning and networking opportunity for professionals interested in creating and maintaining sustainable digital collections of cultural heritage materials, including librarians, archivists, museum curators, visual resources librarians, and graduate (and recent graduate) students. The workshop offers participants the chance to meet colleagues from various institutions who are facing similar challenges. Faculty and students share ideas and solutions to these challenges and make lasting professional connections. This intensive workshop has a limited number of seats and fills up fast, so be sure to register soon!
Don't forget that six Kress Scholarships are available to help with the costs of attending. The deadline for applications is February 8.
If you have questions, please don't hesitate to contact SEI Co-Chairs Lesley Chapman and/or Courtney Baron.
Public Domain 2019 Round-Up
January 1, 2019 marked the first time in over twenty years that works entered the public domain in the United States. In 1998, an embargo was placed on expanding the public domain due to concerns in the entertainment industry that the contemporaneous copyright term was too short. As previously stated in the VRA “IPR Committee Brief,” “In 1976, the Copyright Act served to make copyright registration automatic (upon ideas being fixed in a medium) and extended the copyright to life plus 50 years. Prior to 1976, copyright protection only existed for 28 years after registration, with the option of a 28 year renewal. As Masnick states, ‘And when that term of copyright [established in 1976: life plus 50 years, for a maximum of 75 years] threatened to expire and move Mickey Mouse into the public domain, Congress rushed to Disney’s rescue and added another 20 years to make the term life plus 70 years’” (1).
Still from Safety Last! Now in the public domain.
Unexpectedly, as January 1, 2019 approached, lobbyists for the entertainment industry did not pursue further legislation that would increase the terms of copyright, stating, "We are not aware of any such efforts, and it's not something we are pursuing,” according to a spokesman for the Recording Industry Association of America (2). As ArsTechnica points out, however, simply because a work was created in 1923 does not necessarily mean that its unrestricted usage will be permitted; trademark protections will still be in place, and legislation such as the Music Modernization Act can complicate the matter for non-textual objects (3). For more in-depth discussion of facets surrounding the public domain in 2019, see the following sites:
Brief overview of the public domain:
- Fleishman, Glenn. “For the First Time in More Than 20 Years, Copyrighted Works Will Enter the Public Domain.” Smithsonian Magazine.
- Emerson, Sarah. “A Massive Number of Iconic Works Will Enter the Public Domain on New Year’s Eve.” Motherboard.
In-depth overview of the public domain:
- Fleishman, Glenn. “A Landslide of Classic Art Is About to Enter the Public Domain.” The Atlantic.
History of the public domain and lists of works that entered the public domain in 2019:
- “Public Domain Day 2019,” Center for the Study of the Public Domain, Duke Law.
- “Class of 2019.” Public Domain Review.
Public domain’s intersection with trademark law:
- Lee, Timothy B. “Mickey Mouse will be in the public domain soon - here’s what that means.” ArsTechnica.
Amy Lazet, Visual Resources Specialist, College for Creative Studies
Sources:
- IPR Committee Brief: httpS://vraweb.org/ipr-committee-brief-register-of-copyrights-selection-and-accountability-act/
- Copyright extension: https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2018/01/hollywood-says-its-not-planning-another-copyright-extension-push/
- Music Modernization Act article: https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2018/09/new-music-modernization-act-has-major-fix-older-recordings-will-belong-public
UPDATE: IPR Committee Brief: Register of Copyrights Selection and Accountability Act
On May 2, 2018, S.1010 - Register of Copyrights Selection and Accountability Act of 2017 (LINK) was introduced in the U.S. Senate. After being read twice, it was referred to the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration which held hearings on September 26th on the proposed bill. The Committee was to meet on December 4, 2018 to discuss and vote on S.1010; that hearing was subsequently “postponed until further notice” (1). Should the bill pass the Committee, it will go before the whole Senate for a vote. Those concerned that the proposed bill would unnecessarily politicize the role of Register of Copyrights are urging individuals to contact their Senators, telling them to vote “no” on S.1010 (2).
As a reminder, the U.S. House of Representatives passed their version of the bill: H.R.1695: Register of Copyrights Selection and Accountability Act (LINK). This bill proposed moving the position of Register of Copyrights to a presidential appointment followed by a Senate confirmation hearing, and the House voted to approve this on April 26, 2018. Many within the library community have expressed strong concerns that this bill seeks to make the position of Register of Copyrights overtly political when the position should be serving both the rights of copyright holders and the good of the public concurrently. Numerous organizations, including the American Library Association (LINK), have expressed concern that if the position were politicized in this way, copyright terms could be unduly influenced by business and special interest groups, namely the entertainment industry. For an in-depth look at H.R.1695 as well as an analysis of the arguments both for and against the bill, please see the previous “IPR Committee Brief: Register of Copyrights Selection and Accountability Act” (LINK).
Amy Lazet, Visual Resources Specialist, College for Creative Studies
Sources:
“LINK:”
Text of S.1010: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/1010?r=45
Text of H.R.1695: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/1695?r=3
American Library Association Statement: http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2017/04/ala-urges-senate-reject-bill-make-register-copyrights-presidential-appointee
IPR Committee Brief: httpS://vraweb.org/ipr-committee-brief-register-of-copyrights-selection-and-accountability-act/
Citations:
- United States Senate Committee on Rules and Administration: https://www.rules.senate.gov/hearings/s-1010
- Electronic Frontier Foundation, “Tell the Senate Not to Put the Register of Copyrights in the Hands of the President:” https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2018/12/tell-senate-not-put-register-copyrights-hands-president
ArLiSNAP/VREPS 2018 Virtual Conference: Call for Proposals
VREPS (Visual Resources Emerging Professionals and Students group) and ArLiSNAP welcome proposals from students and new professionals with an interest in art librarianship or visual resources management to present their work at our 2018 Virtual Conference:
New Media Challenges and Solutions for Art Information Professionals
New media art, objects, and scholarly projects in the digital realm are challenging our traditional definitions and methodologies for collection, preservation, and research as information professionals. As the scope for new media continues to expand, how are we defining, describing, and cataloging new media objects? How are we preparing for and anticipating storage and conservation needs? How do we respect artist intent and support scholarly research around these born-digital objects?
We invite proposals that share research and projects featuring new media in art librarianship and visual resources management for our annual virtual conference, an opportunity for emerging professionals to present in a supportive and engaging space while connecting with other students and early career librarians across North America.
The webinar will take place on Saturday, October 13th at 1PM CST. Submit your proposal via our Google Form to apply.
Proposals are due by Friday, August 31st. You must also be available to participate in a short practice session with the webinar software in the evening on Thursday, October 4. If you have any questions, please email the ArLiSNAP Conference Planning Liaison, Michelle Wilson.
Cataloging and Metadata Survey Report Released
The Cataloging and Metadata Survey (fielded between February 22 and April 7, 2017), developed by the survey working group of the Visual Resources Association (VRA) Data Standards and VRA Core Oversight Committees, has been completed. The working group prepared this report summarizing the findings, conclusions, and next steps. The survey's main objectives were to:
- understand the scope of cataloging and metadata practice of visual resources professionals,
- evaluate the use and satisfaction with the VRA Core data standard, and
- determine how the VRA can best support the needs of cataloging and metadata professionals in the future.
We believe the findings will be of interest to the members of the VRA and to the profession in general as both continue to evolve. We thank all 157 respondents who participated in the survey. If you have any comments or questions about the report, please contact Zoe Waldron We will be publishing the report in the VRA Bulletin and any added feedback will be welcome to help develop further analysis for that article.
Boon or Bane? The Four Fair Use Factors vs. The 10% Rule
Although most of us who work in libraries and museums would like to have an exact rule to follow regarding Fair Use, nowhere in the U.S. Code is an actual, quantitative number given for determining if a use is fair. The four factors of Fair Use, as defined in the Code, Section 17, § 107 (LINK) are as follows:(1) the purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of a commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes;(2) the nature of the copyrighted work;(3) the amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole; and(4) the effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work.Although some cite the 10% rule as a factor, this number in fact comes from the “Agreement on Guidelines for Classroom Copying in Not-For-Profit Educational Institutions with Respect to Books and Periodicals (Classroom Guidelines)” (LINK) which are simply that - guidelines written by individuals, some representing education, and some industry. Indeed, the understandings reached in the “Guidelines” were not adopted by Congress. Furthermore, the “...not more than 1,000 words or 10% of the work, whichever is less” commonly cited is intended to serve as a “safe harbor” for educators who are hesitant to make their own assessments of fair use. The courts have stated that “...the purpose of the Guidelines was to state the minimum and not the maximum standards of educational fair use” (emphasis added) (LINK). The 10% rule, therefore, was designed to serve as a guide or suggestion for educators but is not a definitive statement and, according to the District Court of Georgia, Atlanta Division, the “absolute cap” of the “Guidelines” is “not compatible with the language and intent of § 107” (LINK).Fair use, on the other hand (as defined in § 107), is far from formulaic - in fact, the decision in the case of Cambridge University Press et al v. Carl V. Patton, et al (LINK) (the case over the Georgia State University e-reserves) was overturned by the Court of Appeals because the lower court was found to have applied the four fair use factors in a mathematical way, i.e. by applying equal weight to each factor. Instead, fair use must be determined on a case-by-case basis, rather than acting as a formula which can be applied without discrimination to all instances of reuse of copyrighted material that lay claim to being fair use.Fair use allows us to make judgements about what is an appropriate use of copyrighted material, potentially providing more freedom than the directives of the “Guidelines.” By utilizing fair use, copyrighted material can be used in teaching, parodies, criticism, and more, in potentially broader and more appropriate ways. While case law on fair use is more abundant for textual sources than images, the VRA’s own “Statement on the Fair Use of Images in Teaching, Research and Study” states that the use of images in these contexts “should be consistent with fair use” (LINK, p 8).Although there is a certain security in having a precise percentage which can be established through numerical means, it is also constraining to not have any flexibility - for example, if a book has 100 pictures and a teacher wants to use eleven images in a classroom, being able to weigh if the use is fair against the four factors is a more reasonable response than to flatly state that the rule is ten images, no more. Again, the “Statement on the Fair Use of Images” says that, "Although one factor cited in the fair use statute is the amount of a copyrighted work being used in relation to the work as a whole, use of substantial portions of a copyrighted work – or an entire work – should not preclude a finding of fair use in a classroom or research context...the educational context matters, and even if the entire work is used, and even if the underlying work is not transformed through the addition of substantial new content, these uses, within the academic context, should be fair ones” (p 10). Maybe that eleventh image contains the heart of the argument the teacher is making, perhaps showing an overall view, of which the previous pictures were simply details; with the 10% rule, we would never know and would be lost amongst the trees, unable to see the forest clearly.Amy LazetVisual Resources Specialist, College for Creative Studies, DetroitLinks (in order of appearance):17 U.S. Code § 107 - Limitations on exclusive rights: Fair use“Agreement on Guidelines for Classroom Copying in Not-For-Profit Educational Institutions with Respect to Books and Periodicals”Cambridge University Press v. Becker et al (2012)Court of Appeals: Cambridge University Press et al v. Carl V. Patton, et al (2014)“Visual Resources Association: Statement on the Fair Use of Images for Teaching, Research and Study”
VRA Election Results
I am pleased to report the outcomes of the recent VRA election, held November 1-30, 2017.Please join me in congratulating and welcoming our incoming Executive Board members, who will take office at the Annual Business Meeting on Wednesday, March 28, 2018 in Philadelphia.
- Vice President for Conference Arrangements: Lael Ensor-Bennett, Johns Hopkins University
- Public Relations and Communications Officer: Amy McKenna, Williams College
- Treasurer: Andreas Knab, vrcHost, LLC
On behalf of the Executive Board, I would like to warmly thank Jen Kniesch, along with all of our candidates, for being willing to serve the Association in leadership roles. We would also like to extend our gratitude to the Nominating Committee: Steven Kowalik (Chair), Allan Kohl, Cindy Abel Morris, and Elaine Paul, with special thanks to Allan Kohl and Cindy Abel Morris for serving as election tellers.Many thanks to the membership for voting on these important Association matters.Best wishes,Jen Green
Open Access Week
The Intellectual Property Rights Committee will be taking over the VRA's social media accounts during Open Access Week October 23-29 to promote open access image collections, talk about the obstacles to and benefits of open access, and generally take part in the conversation about all things open access! You can follow along with us @VisResAssn and https://
Call for Proposals: Visual Resources Association 2018 in Philadelphia
Dear colleagues,The Visual Resources Association’s 36th Annual Conference will be held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from Tuesday, March 27th, through Friday, March 30, 2018, in the Loews Philadelphia Hotel. The theme for the Philadelphia conference is VRA 2018: Workshop of the World. Please mark your calendars.Proposals for case studies, papers, sessions, special interest/user groups, and workshops are now being solicited for the 2018 program. All proposals are welcome.Click here to access the conference proposal form. It is available in PDF form if you would like the view the entire form before submitting.
- A session is a maximum 90-minute moderated session with 3 to 4 speakers at 15 to 20 minutes each followed by a facilitated brief question and answer period.
- A workshop is a 2, 3, or 4-hour workshop to develop skills and experience in the field of visual resources, preferably with hands-on activities.
- A paper is an individual idea submission, which will be reviewed for possible grouping into a session. Your ideas, whether they come to us alone or in a group, are equally valued in the Board's proposal and selection process.
- A special interest/user group is a 60-minute to 90-minute informal facilitated group discussion on topics related to a specific community within VRA.
- A case study is detailed information about an individual, small group, or project, generally including the accounts of subjects themselves. Moderators are encouraged to submit proposals. Individual case study proposals will be reviewed for possible groupings similar to the session format.
The quality of conference content depends upon YOUR ideas and contributions, so let those creative juices flow. Perusing some of the past conference schedules will show you the range of topics presented in previous years and may inspire your proposal. Use suggested topics compiled from post-conference survey responses (see below) or your imagination to propose ideas which expand our outlook. If there is an area of concern or interest that you feel has not been adequately addressed, participate in this process by submitting a proposal. Moderators may put out calls for presenters within a proposed topic before or after the submission of a proposal. The VRA Executive Board will be looking for articulate and concise submissions with lists of presenters, but single submissions without presenter lists are encouraged as well.Suggested topics:AccessibilityChanging roles and functions of Visual Resource CollectionsCoding (PHP, SQL, HTML5, etc.)Corporate Visual Resources careersDAM basicsData migrationDigital collections platformsDigital Humanities theoryDigital preservationDigital tools in the classroomsEngaging K-12Ethics in Visual ResourcesExcel tips and tricksImplementation case studies (Omeka, Shared Shelf, Luna)Information architectureInstitutional repository managementLibrary instructionMarketingMetadata and standardsNew technologyNon-art related topics (archives and libraries)Non-Western artPublishing and scholarly communicationSupervisory rolesTHATcamp/unConferenceQuestions about the proposal process and the various presentation formats included in the VRA Conference program can be directed to me at jeesselstrom@wisc.edu.The proposal deadline is Friday, July 28th, 2017. I look forward to hearing from you!Jacob EsselstromVice President for Conference ProgramVisual Resources Association
VRAF Professional Development Grant Recipients
The Visual Resources Association Foundation is pleased to announce the recipients of the spring 2017 VRAF Professional Development Grants. Due to the considerable number of commendable grant applications received, the VRAF Board of Directors decided to provide professional development funding to two qualified individuals this spring. Congratulations go to Chris Strasbaugh and Sali Underwood, who will each receive an award of $850 to pursue the professional development goals described in their applications. Both recipients demonstrate a strong commitment to the field of visual resources within cultural heritage and natural history information management respectively, while serving as adroit ambassadors for the visual resource community:
- Chris Strasbaugh, Ohio State University, will use VRAF funding to attend the May 2017 "2 + 3D Photography -- Practice and Prophecies" conference to be held at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, where he has been invited to present his paper "Hacking Technology to Document Difficult Spaces" describing a creative use of technology in the digitization and preservation of student work.
- Sali Underwood, Nevada State Museum, will use VRAF funding to attend the 32nd annual meeting of the Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections this June in Denver, where she will present on her digitization project on "Nevada's Neglected Lepidoptera Herbarium" collection of over 2500 specimens and its importance to understanding the life cycle of Nevada’s butterflies.
Steven Kowalik,VRAF Board of Directors
VRA Executive Board Statement on US President's FY2018 Budget Proposal
Dear VRA Community,The Visual Resources Association stands in solidarity with our colleagues across national cultural heritage organizations (CAA, DLF, ARLIS/NA, ALA and more) in opposition to the proposed elimination of the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services from the federal budget.Our work as Visual Resources professionals within academic, museum, and cultural heritage institutions has been long intertwined with the work of our colleagues within CAA, DLF, and ARLIS/NA, and we have demonstrated the importance of our affiliated work through collaborative projects, open communication, and shared support of those that we serve across our cultural and scholarly communities. Now, more so than in recent history, it is important for us to stand together, maintain strong relationships, and act as a unit. Like our affiliated Associations, the VRA Board is concerned about the debilitating impact that defunding culture and creativity will have on this country and the creative and scholarly endeavors that we support through our work. Art, culture, and creativity are critical ingredients in exploration, discovery, and innovation, and they are essential components to a strong, vibrant, and informed nation. Now is a perfect example of how members of our affiliated associations can leverage the relationships and connections we’ve developed across our associations and act upon our concerns as a unit. Please refer to the Arts and Humanities Advocacy Toolkit , which CAA shared with us yesterday, and contact your representatives in Congress. We, as members of the VRA Board will do that, and we know that our collective voices can make a difference.VRA is committed to supporting the needs of our members as we anticipate the final outcomes of these proposed budget changes. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or one of the other Board members if you have thoughts or concerns about how we can do more to support you.Sincerely,The VRA Executive BoardRyan Brubacher, Vice President for Conference ArrangementsJasmine Burns, SecretaryMelanie Clark, Public Relations and Communications OfficerJen Green, PresidentJeannine Keefer, TreasurerChris Strasbaugh, Vice President for Conference Program
Cross-Pollinator Fellowship to AIC: Deadline March 1
A quick reminder: Kress + DLF are offering members of the DLF community the chance to attend the American Institute for Conservation and Artistic Works (AIC) annual meeting. One GLAM Cross-Pollinator fellowship will be awarded, and will include conference registration as well as a $1000 travel stipend. AIC has some amazing sessions and fun tours lined up (check out the ‘Electronic Media’ track, for diglib-related sessions).Also, if you happen to be on a break from work, you should definitely read this session description, summarizing conservation completed on the original Winnie the Pooh stuffed animals. What a nail-biter, I mean. Poor Eeyore!!For information on how to apply to the fellowship, visit this page + be sure to submit by March 1.Becca QuonProgram Associate – The Digital Library Federation1707 L Street Ste 650, Washington, D.C. 20036diglib.org | clir.org